As part of our continued collaboration with Theatr Clwyd, we’re very proud to be overseeing the public art strategy for the theatre’s new home.
We’ve been working closely with the theatre team, architects and a steering group of artists and community advisors to develop a series of commissions that will put public art at the heart of the new building.
In keeping with the diverse and inclusive spirit of Theatr Clwyd, our aim has been to commission a wide range of artists to create new work, including both established and early-career artists, across a variety of different mediums. Each of these artworks will be site-specific, with artists exploring themes from Theatr Clwyd’s history and present, and engaging with local communities, archives and surroundings to develop their designs.
Today we’re delighted to finally be able to share details of the artists who will be involved.
Among the artists invited to create a new public artwork is award-winning Welsh artist Manon Awst (pictured, above right), who makes sculptures and site-specific artworks woven with ecological narratives. Manon is a current Future Wales Fellow and a recipient of the Henry Moore Foundation Artist Award, and her artwork for Theatr Clwyd has been developed through a research residency at the theatre.
Frances Priest (pictured, above left), a leading figure in the world of ceramics, will be creating a large-scale tiled artwork for the theatre. With a practice that spans ceramic art, design and craft, Frances’s work has a keen following from private collectors and cultural establishments alike, and her studio ceramics are part of permanent collections at The National Museums of Scotland, The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and The V&A in London.
Acclaimed writer and documentary-maker Jude Rogers will be collaborating with artist and archivist Catrin James on a commission to explore the history of Studio 2, where pioneering film and television was made at Theatr Clwyd over the course of two decades. Jude is perhaps best-known for her arts and culture journalism for The Guardian, the Observer and BBC radios, as well as her 2022 memoir, The Sound Of Being Human: How Music Shapes Our Lives. In recent years, Jude has also been running storytelling projects connected to communities and causes. Catrin’s work highlights the post-war built heritage of Wales through collage, film and oral histories. Working bilingually, she has created digital stories for organisations including the Tate Gallery, Welsh Women’s Aid and the George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling at the University Of South Wales, which are now part of the nation’s archive collections at Museum Wales and National Library Wales.
Huw Davies
Jude Rogers
Catrin James
Another bilingual artist who has been commissioned to create a new artwork at Theatr Clwyd is Huw Davies. Huw’s work grows out of the stories, mythologies, and history of the land he has grown up on. He works predominantly in sculpture, paint and film, and has participated in arts projects all over the world – from Aberystwyth to Arizona. His work has received numerous recognitions including a BAFTA, an Investors in People award, and a National Eco Projects award.
Textile designer Sauda Imam (pictured, header image), will be creating a 33m curtain installation for the theatre. Originally from Nigeria and shaped by experiences at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, Sauda’s work blends cultural heritage and modern design. Her creations, whether handwoven fabrics or carefully curated prints, reflect the rich tapestry of her roots and tell compelling stories of cultural pride and creative evolution. Her work has been featured in publications such as Vogue and Elle, as well as in exhibitions including the Surface Design Show.
One of the key themes of the public art strategy is sustainability, and this will be a core feature of a commission created by Sum Place, an art production practice led by Colin Davies. Subscribing to the idea that public art is a matter of public health, Colin works outside of traditional gallery spaces to challenge the perception of the places people interact with on a daily basis and create moments of joy. Colin’s work has been recognised by Vogue, the Guardian, BBC, and News International.
Finally, we’re thrilled to say that Ivan Kashdan (pictured below) will be creating a series of murals at Theatr Clwyd, during a residency period once the theatre has reopened its doors. Ivan is and artist based in London who makes murals that loosen up the hard confines of architecture – bringing elements to life using colour and playful mark making. With gentle associations and amorphous bodies, Ivan’s paintings are visions of ecological and man-made communion, inviting nature into the fabric of the site.
The commissioning process has involved an open call for submissions, with over 120 applications received, as well as direct commissions. We’ll be sharing more information about each of the artworks, as well as the commissioning process, over the coming months.
For more information about each of the artists, visit the Theatr Clwyd website.